Utility bin

ABSTRACT

Wall mountable, portable and stackable bins, formed by a bottom wall supporting lateral walls, a back wall, and a front wall, with the back wall comprising a first tab, extending generally lengthwise along at least part of an upper edge of the back wall and projecting generally upward relative to the bottom wall, and comprising at least one aperture; and at least one of: i) pegs extending generally lengthwise along at least part of an upper edge of the back wall and projecting generally upward relative to the bottom wall; and ii) a second tab extending generally parallel and spaced apart from the surface of the back wall, and comprising at least one aperture. The first tab is adapted to be inserted inside a slot of a slot wall mounting panel for mounting the bin to the slot wall mounting panel and its at least one aperture is adapted to receive a hook for mounting the bin to a peg wall panel and a screw or a nail for mounting the bin to a flat wall. The first tab is removable, and, when it is removed, the at least one of: i) pegs and ii) second tab is available for hanging the bin to a mounting surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of Canadian application serial No. 2,715,231, filed on Sep. 23, 2010. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to utility bins. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a utility bin compatible with a range of mounting supports.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, there is provided a one-piece moulded bin, formed by a bottom wall supporting lateral walls, a back wall, and a front wall, the walls defining an inside volume, the back wall comprising a first tab, extending generally lengthwise along at least part of an upper edge of the back wall and projecting generally upward relative to the bottom wall, the first tab comprising at least one aperture; and at least one of: i) pegs extending generally lengthwise along at least part of an upper edge of the back wall and projecting generally upward relative to the bottom wall; and ii) a second tab extending generally parallel and spaced apart from the surface of the back wall, the second tab comprising at least one aperture; wherein the first tab is adapted to be inserted inside a slot of a slot wall mounting panel for mounting the bin to the slot wall mounting panel and the at least one aperture of the first tab is adapted to receive a hook for mounting the bin to a peg wall panel and one of: i) a screw and ii) a nail for mounting the bin to a flat wall; and wherein the first tab is removable, and, when the first tab is removed, the at least one of i) pegs and ii) second tab is available for hanging the bin to a mounting surface.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 show a bin according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in the closed position thereof: a) front perspective view; b) back perspective view; c) cut off front perspective view showing the inside;

FIG. 2 show a bin according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in the open position thereof: a) partly open position; b) fully open position; c) with lid removed; and FIG. 2 d shows a lid for a bin according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 show bins secured to a rail slotted panel according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention: a) perspective view; b) and c) side views;

FIG. 4 show bins according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention: a) rear view; b) mounted to a peg wall panel; c) view of an accessory used to secure the bin to the peg wall panel; and d) side view of the bin of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 illustrates a panel for mounting the bins according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6-9 show bins in stacked arrangements according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 show a bin according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention: a) perspective front view; b) perspective back view;

FIG. 11 show a bin according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention: a) perspective front view with front part of the lid open; b) perspective front view with front and rear parts of the lid open; c) perspective front view with lid detached; and

FIG. 12 show a bin according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention: a) perspective front view; b) perspective rear view; c) ready to be mounted to a peg wall panel.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In a nutshell, there is provided a storage and dispensing bin. In the following the bin is described in relation to nails or screws for example, but it can be used for a range of items to be stored and dispensed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a bin 10 according to an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention generally comprises a body 12 and a lid 14.

The body 12 is typically an integrally molded piece, comprising a bottom wall 16, lateral walls 18 and 20, a back wall 22 and a front wall 24.

The back wall 22 is configured for hanging the bin 10 to a mounting assembly such as a shown in FIGS. 3-5 for example.

The back wall 22 comprises a first tab 32, extending generally lengthwise along at least part of the upper edge of the back wall 22 and projecting upward.

Such a tab 32 can be inserted, from below, inside a slot 34 of a slot wall mounting panel 30, as known in the art for example, shown in FIG. 3. When the tab 32 is then engaged under an upper lip of the slot 34, the bin 10 is supported against the panel 30 in a generally horizontal position, as seen in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the bin 10 can be mounted to the panel 30 by inserting the tab 32 from an extremity 36 of the panel 30 and then sliding the bin 10 into a desired position along the length of the rail 33. The tab 32 may be L-shaped or T-shaped.

The tab 32 is provided with apertures 40 and 42, shown in FIG. 1 a for example, allowing the bin 10 to be readily mounted and secured to a peg wall panel 50 as known in the art and shown for example in FIG. 4 b, using a hook cooperating with apertures 40 and 42 or other accessories 52 as known in the art in cooperation with the second tab 60 and shown for example in FIG. 4 c. Obviously, the apertures 40 and 42 may also be used to secure the bin 10 to a flat wall (gypsum or the like) using screws or nails to engage the aperture 40 and 42. The back wall 22 of the bin may be provided with a spacer 56 (see FIG. 4 d) to ensure a vertical alignment of the bin 10 with respect to the surface of the peg wall panel 50. Otherwise, the bin 10, when secured to the peg wall panel 50, may be slightly tilted downwards, which may be desired for a better viewing of the content thereof or for an easier access to the content thereof for example.

In other embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the back wall 22 comprises pegs 200 to secure the bin 10 to the peg wall panel 50 (see FIG. 12 c) once the tab 32 has been cut off or broken away along a weakening line 66 seen for example in FIGS. 1 a and 4 e.

The back wall 22 is also provided with a second tab 60 spaced apart from the vertical surface of the back wall 22 (see FIG. 4 a).

For hanging the bin 10 to a panel 64 with upward facing hooks 62 as shown for example in FIG. 5, the first tab 32 needs only be removed as discussed hereinabove, thereby leaving the bin 10 with the second tab 60 available for engagement with the hook 62.

The second tab 60 is further provided with slots 100, thereby allowing the bin 10 to be simply secured to a mounting surface by nails or screws. Guiding marks 110 may be provided on the lid 14 (see FIG. 1) to mark the fastening distance between the nails or screws beforehand.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 a, 1 c and 4 e for example, the bottom wall 16 of the bin 10 may have a decreasing slope or increasing depth from the back wall 22 to the front wall 24, thereby creating a slight slope towards the front of the bin, which allows the content in the bin 10 to slide forward, thereby easing dispensing thereof for example.

As indicated in FIG. 1 c, the front wall 24 is at an angle alpha relative to the general direction of the back wall 22. The front wall 24 thus provides a surface for labeling or engraving the bin if desired. Moreover, this angled surface may be useful when bins with their lids are vertically stacked, since it provides clearance to open the front cover 14 a of a bottom bin.

In FIG. 2 c, the lid 14 is shown as comprising a front part 14 a and a rear part 14 b connected together by a live hinge 70, allowing selectively opening the front part 14 a of the lid 14 for access to the inside of the bin 10. In the closed position, the front part 14 a of the lid 14 lies at an angle beta relative to the rear part 14 b (see FIG. 1 b), thereby providing a surface for labeling or engraving the bin for example. The rear part 14 b of the lid 14 may be connected to the upper edge of the back wall 22 by pivot hinges 72, thereby allowing lifting the lid 14 for a complete opening and increased access to the interior thereof if needed (see FIG. 2). The rear part 14 b of the lid 14 may also provide a surface for labeling or engraving the bin for example. The lid 14 can also be completely removed for the bin 12 as shown in FIG. 2 c.

The front wall 24 may comprise a tamper proof tab 80, which, prior to a first opening of the lid 14 or at least of the front part 14 a thereof, receives the closing lip 81 extending from the front edge of the front part 14 a of the lid 14. Prior to the first opening, this tab 80 contributes to maintaining the lid 14 in a closed position. This tab 80 is broken away, with a knife for example, or snapped off, upon the first opening of the bin 10. Once the tab 80 is broken away, then the lid 14 or at least the front part thereof 14 a can be opened by lifting the lip 81 with a thumb or finger. At the first opening, the breakage of the tab 80 indeed occurs. The bin 10 can be closed again after this first opening, by flipping the lid 14 or the front part 14 a thereof back down into place. As shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b for example, removal of the tab 80 does not affect the integrity of the front wall 24. However, the absence of the tab 80 is a clear indication of a first opening of the bin 10. The circumference of the lid 14, i.e. at least part of at least one lateral side of at least one of the front part 14 a and the rear part 14 b, comprises a flange 82 which overlaps the upper edges of the walls 22, 18, 20 and 24 of the bin 10 in the closed position.

The lateral walls 18 and 20 may comprise reinforcing ribs 90, shown for example in FIGS. 1 b and 2 c, to increase the mechanical resistance of the bin 10. Such ribs 90 may form indents on the upper vertical edge of the side walls 18 and 20, which then receive protrusions 91 provided on the inner face of the lid to guide and secure closure of the lid 14 for example (see FIGS. 2 b and 2 c). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2 d, the inside edge of the lateral sides of the lid 14 may comprise a catch 83, which comes into engagement with the outer indent formed by the ribs 90 on the upper edge of the side walls 18 and 20.

Moreover, a catch 25, best seen in FIG. 2 d, may be provided on the front wall 24, under the tab 80 (broken away in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b), for engaging a corresponding channel 85 (shown in FIG. 1 c) on the inner surface of the lip 81 extending from the front edge of the front part 14 a of the lid 14, thereby further securing closure of the lid 14 for example.

The bins can also be used for storage and dispensing as self-supporting bins, as shown in FIG. 6. They can be stacked one on top of the other.

The angle of the front wall 24, as well as the hinged structure of the lid 14, allow an unobstructed access to the inside of the bin, either when the bin is mounted on a panel as discussed hereinabove, or when bins are stacked one on top of the other as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8 for example.

As people in the art will now be in a position to appreciate, the present invention provides bins for storage, display and dispensing of items, adaptable to be secured to a number of mounting surfaces, or to be used as self-supporting stackable bins.

The present bins provide an optimized content volume, with a minimized unused space between bins when bins are stacked one upon the other or when bins are mounted together on a wall, while maintaining an easy access to the interior thereof, either for refilling them or dispensing the items.

When the lids are removed, the bins can be stacked, for transportation for example, with a minimized volume (see FIG. 9).

The present bins are wall mountable and portable. They may be used for storage, display and dispensing of small parts, to keep small parts handy, organized and easy of access. Bigger parts may also be stored, displayed and dispensed, by varying the size of the bins. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the height of the bins can be modified, without modifying the lid for example.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified, without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A bin, formed by a bottom wall supporting lateral walls, a back wall, and a front wall, said walls defining an inside volume, said back wall comprising: a first tab, extending generally lengthwise along at least part of an upper edge of the back wall and projecting generally upward relative to the bottom wall, said first tab comprising at least one aperture; and at least one of: i) pegs extending generally lengthwise along at least part of an upper edge of the back wall and projecting generally upward relative to the bottom wall; and ii) a second tab extending generally parallel and spaced apart from the surface of the back wall, said second tab comprising at least one aperture; wherein said first tab is adapted to be inserted inside a slot of a slot wall mounting panel for mounting said bin to the slot wall mounting panel and said at least one aperture of said first tab is adapted to receive a hook for mounting said bin to a peg wall panel and one of a screw and a nail for mounting said bin to a flat wall; and wherein said first tab is removable, and, when said first tab is removed, said at least one of: i) pegs and ii) second tab is available for hanging said bin to a mounting surface.
 2. The bin according to claim 1, wherein said first tab is inserted from below inside a slot of the slot wall mounting panel.
 3. The bin according to claim 1, wherein said first tab is inserted from an extremity of the slot wall mounting panel.
 4. The bin according to claim 1, wherein said first tab is one of L-shaped and T-shaped.
 5. The bin according to claim 1, wherein said back wall further comprises a spacer to ensure a vertical alignment of the bin with respect to the mounting surface.
 6. The bin according to claim 1, wherein said bottom wall has one of: a decreasing slope and an increasing depth, from the back wall to the front wall.
 7. The bin according to claim 1, wherein said front wall is at an angle relative to a general direction of the back wall.
 8. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable lid.
 9. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable lid, said lid comprising front part and a rear part connected together by a live hinge, said rear part being connected to the upper edge of the back wall by a pivot hinge.
 10. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable lid, said lid comprising a front part and a rear part connected together by a live hinge, said rear part being connected to the upper edge of the back wall by a pivot hinge, wherein said lid is one of: i) partially openable, with said front part open; ii) fully openable with said front part and said rear part open; and iii) completely detachable from said bin.
 11. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable lid, wherein said front wall comprises a tamper proof tab, said tamper proof tab receiving a lip extending from a front edge of the lid in a closed position.
 12. The bin according to claim 1, wherein said lateral walls comprise reinforcing ribs.
 13. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable lid, an inner surface of said lid comprising protrusions, said lateral walls comprising reinforcing ribs, said reinforcing ribs forming indents on the upper edge of the lateral walls, said indents receiving said protrusions when the lid is in a closed position over said bin. 